Seniors return to winning ways against Waterford

Post date: Jul 5, 2016 11:13:52 AM

Limerick 2-14 (2-4) Waterford 1-8 (1-6)

Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship

Saturday 25th June

2.30pm in Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock

Limerick got their championship campaign back on track with an impressive 2-14 to 1-8 win over Waterford in Kilmallock on Saturday. This was the third meeting between the sides this year and with Limerick having the better of both the previous encounters it was inevitable that Waterford would be looking for a better performance in this match.

Indeed it was the Déise that had the better of the opening half with a physical performance taking advantage of a Limerick side that started slowly showing evidence of a hangover from the loss to Wexford the previous week. Beth Carton was causing problems on the left and with Patricia Jackman punishing any indiscretions from placed ball had opened a 0-5 to 0-3 lead in the first 20 mins.

Limerick's scores came from a pair of Niamh Mulcahy frees with Caoimhe Costelloe's well taken point being Limerick's only score from play in the opening period. When Beth Carton hit the back of the net, followed by another Patricia Jackman free Waterford looked like they were going to take a solid six point lead into the break.

But Limerick were to rally and with Caoimhe Costelloe causing problems for the Waterford defence her clubmate Clíona Lane was on hand to convert onvert a brace of goals just before the half-time whistle to send Limerick in one point ahead 2-4 to 1-6.

This was to prove significant and with the stiff breeze now at Limerick's back their defence began to dominate and Waterford were to be restricted to two second half scores. With Karen O'Leary and Siobhán Enright controlling the middle of the park space began to be created for Niamh Mulcahy who proceeded to give a master class on forward play scoring all 10 of her sides second half scores, four from play including a staggering point from a very acute angle.

Appropriately it was a Niamh Mulcahy free that was the final action of the half leaving the final score Limerick 2-14 Waterford 1-8. It was an impressive performance from Limerick bouncing back from the disappointment of their first round defeat.

Limerick are away to Clare in their next match. They haven't met Clare since 2014 when they met twice in the League losing both matches and Clare are coming off the back of a second loss so it will no doubt be a closely contested affair.

Limerick 1-7 (0-3) Carlow 3-10 (1-5)

Limerick were second best in their opening Premier Junior championship clash with a strong Carlow side coming out on top by 3-10 to 1-7.

Carlow had chalked up 3 unanswered points before Dearbhla Egan got Limerick on the scoreboard in a low scoring first quarter. In the second quarter Lizzy O'Dwyer & Aoife Coughlan added to Limerick's tally but with Kate Nolan raising a green flag for Carlow it was they who went in at the break ahead by 1-5 to 0-3.

Having had the advantage of a breeze in the first half Limerick had a task ahead in the second half. The home side with the advantage of a league campaign and a win the previous week behind them were always going to be favourites for the tie.

It was Limerick's Laura Stack who opened the scoring after the break but Carlow were quick to respond with a brace of goals in the next five minutes to leave Limerick with a mountain to climb.

But credit to Ger Hickey's side they kept battling and substitutes Sinead Madden and Mairead Clancy steadying the ship. But to break LImerick hearts it was Carlow who again drove home a goal in the 45th minute to leave the scoreboard showing 3-9 to 0-5.

Captain Una O'Connor did close the gap with a goal, followed by another point from Dearbhla Egan but it was not enough as the final score displayed 3-10 to 1-7.

Limerick will learn from this encounter and regroup for another away match next week against Dublin.